New build flat - Gas Bill

matelodave

Gerry1 said:

Not exactly a shining example of Plain English, but before querying the bills a close read of the relevant parts of the HEAT NETWORK (METERING AND BILLING) REGULATIONS 2014 (AS AMENDED IN 2015 AND 2020) might be very beneficial.

Excellent bit of sleuthing Gerry, ammunition for the OP to challenge the landlord/letting agent/developer

There some good info there. It would be worth the OP getting hold of the previous versions to ensure that the provisions are broadly similar, depending on when the building was constructed. It does look as though that a heat meter or heat cost allocator (HCA) should have been installed unless there was a very good reason why not

MWT

I'd actually be somewhat surprised if one hadn't been fitted, but it is certainly possible that it hasn't been used for this bill.

I wonder if it is possible to get a photo of the heating controls in the flat?

Gerry1

Some tasty morsels here !

'The installation of final customer meters on new developments has been mandatory since 2014 when the first heat network regulations were introduced.' https://www.smart-energy.com/industry-sectors/smart-meters/heating-network-regulations-updated-in-uk/

'As regards final customers residing in multi-apartment or multi-purpose buildings, whether such buildings are supplied from an external source or a common source within such buildings, individual heat or hot water meters for each apartment or unit in such buildings must be provided by 31 December 2016. However, in buildings where the use of heat meters is not technically feasible or cost-efficient, individual heat cost allocators must instead be installed on each radiator in the individual apartments/units of those buildings. Finally, where this solution is not cost-effective, alternative methods of heat consumption measurement may be considered.'  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=SWD:2013:448:FIN&from=EN

'The Regulations are enforced by the Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS), part of the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. They place duties on heat suppliers, defined as anyone who supplies and charges for the supply of heating, cooling and/or hot water to customers through a heat network.' https://www.emexlondon.com/heat-network-regulations-what-you-should-know/

MWT

Exactly, I'm betting it is fitted, just not clearly been used this time...

tonysala32

Thanks so much guys, so inside a little plastic window on the boiler, I found this meter 
So I'm guessing this is the heat meter or heat cost allocator, that our letting agent told us we didn't have. I don't believe this has been used to calculate the bill, if anybody here can confirm this is the heat meter, that would be great.

Is the agent obligated to use this reading to determine our bill, and would they be able to grab this reading remotely because nobody asked us for a reading. 

Thanks again, you've all been so helpful,

Gerry1

https://www.zenner.com/product_categories/category/ultrasonic-compact-heat-meters/product/ultrasonic_heat-meters_zelsius_C5_iuf.html

Note that it's displaying a warning symbol, possibly a low battery.

MWT

I'd guess it is more likely to be a communication error as the battery life should be at least 6 years if not longer.

tonysala32 said:

Thanks so much guys, so inside a little plastic window on the boiler, I found this meter

Keep in mind that you don't have a 'boiler' so when talking about the problem it may get confusing if you refer to the boiler...

The meter is capable of storing and displaying data for multiple time periods since it was installed.

The current 925kWh on the display is probably not the full consumption since you moved in, it feels too low for that to be possible, but it could be for the month so far perhaps?

Yes, it should be remotely readable for the management and yes they should be using it to apportion the charges between all the flats not just the occupied ones.

Mister_G

It sounds like the letting agent is not familiar with these type of systems.

matelodave

re it is - it's a heat meter - https://www.zenner.com/product_categories/category/ultrasonic-compact-heat-meters/product/ultrasonic_heat-meters_zelsius_C5_iuf.html, go down the page a bit and you can download the installation and operating instructions to find out what the button does and what info you can retrieve from it.

It may have an interface to a remote monitor but in any event you have the ability to read it and send the info to your managing agent and insist that they only charge you for what you've used rather than some mystical estimate.

Now you've found it you should start reading it regularly (ideally once a month) recording the info and sending the reading to your managing agent. It wont neccessarily avoid paying silly prices per kwh but at least you should only pay for what you've consumed

MWT

matelodave said:

It may have an interface to a remote monitor but in any event you have the ability to read it and send the info to your managing agent and insist that they only charge you for what you've used rather than some mystical estimate.

The trick with these schemes though is how they calculate the price per kWh...

Important to get visibility on that so they don't go apportioning the total cost of the heating bill and their penalties for late payment etc. just across the occupied units.

It is a great start though to get the actual readings out of the meter.